Appaeatus for cleansing



'No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. HYATT.

APPARATUS POR GLBANSING FILTERING SURFAGES.

No. 364,933. Patented June 14, 1887.

(No Model.) 3 ShetsSheet 2 J. W. HYATT.

APPARATUS FOR OLEANSING FILTERING SURFACES.

No. 364,933.. Patented June 14,1887.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. W. HYATT.

APPARATUS FOR GLEANSING PILTERING SURPAGES. No. 364,933. Patented June 14, 1887.

JOHN V. HYATT, OF NEVARK, N EVV JERSEY.

vIUTFAFIATUS FOR CLENSING FlLTERlNG-SURFACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent No. 364,933, dated J une 14, 1887. Application liled November 23, 1R86. Serial No. 219,574. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. HYATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cleansing Filtering Surfaces, fully described and represented in the following specilication and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

My invention consists in a means of abrading and cleansing the surface of a solid tiltering-diaphragm by motion in relation to loose v granular abrading material, the substance of the latter being held against the surface'of the diaphragm bythe unltered duid, and its loose particles operating to scour such surface in the manner desired.

My inventionalso consists in a particular construction for a liltering-diaphragm.

The rst part of my invention may be practiced with diaphragms of porous stone or other suitable substances; but in practicing the latter part of my invent-ion I employ a diaphragm of an artificial composition having a layer of tiner particles upon its inlet side, forming line interstices to arrest the impurities, and a layer of coarser particles upon its outlet side to more readily and rapidly collect the water which pereolates through the diaphragm. The diaphragm may be of flat 0r tubular forni; but I prefer the former shape, as my construction enables me to' construct disks or plates whore whole area operates as a filtering medium, and which may be arranged to present a very large iiltering-surface within a small casing. Such a dat diaphragm is formed by placing in the bottom of a suitable mold or frame a layer of any suitable ccnient mixed with coarser granules, andl applying to the surface of such mixture a layer of liner grain.

My improvements will be understood by reference to the annexed drawings, -in which Figure l is a longitudinal section of a filter provided therewith, a portion of the disks and Vcentral shaft not being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a transverse sect-ion of the same on line a: .r in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of one of the disks. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same with a portion of the central shaft, and Fig. 5 isa similar section of a disk Y mine the iow;

constructed without any iron frame. Fig. 6 is an elevation of a cylindrical filter, showing the diaphragms as pendent tubes, the casing being shown in section to expose its contents. Fig. 7 is a plan of the same below the line o o in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of one of the tilter-tubes b. Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. l0 is an elevation of an alternative construction; and Fig. 1l is a plan of the same i'n section on lineg/ y, Fig. 10.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a is the iiltercasing; b, the central shaft, with bore 'c connected at one end by a swivel with a discharge-pipe, d, for the purified water.

e are the filtering-disks,- formed separately and clamped together upon the shaft with intermediate india-rubber gaskets, e', by means of nuts f.

g is sand placed in the lower part of the casing and covers aportionof each disk.

It are stutiing-boxes applied to the casing near the ends of the shaft, and It is a crank to rotate the same and turn the disks around within the casing in contact with the loose abrading material.

z is the water-suppl y pipe, having a branch, j, admitting water to the casing above the sand, and a branch, lr, admitting the water to the bottom of the casing, so as to pass through the sand in its flow.

Z is an overflow waste-pipe at the top of the casing. The disks being separated from one another, it is obvious that both the ilat sides of each disk are exposed to the unfiltered water, and as the disks, by my process of construction, are furnished with internal outlets, it is obvious that the entire external surface of the disks forms a filtering diaphragm or medium by which the Water is purilied, and through which it passes to the bore of the shaft b, by which it is discharged to the pipe d. The impurities which gradually collect upon the ltering surfaces of the disks may be readily'removed by rotating the disks, and thus moving the surfaces in contact with the loose abrading material which lies between them in the lower' part of the casing.'

When filtering, the water may be admitted through either the branch j or 7:, cocks j' and 7c being provided in such branches to deter- When the impurities accu- '5o same.4

mnlate in the filter, they may be discharged with a part of the fluid by the waste-pipe l, and

the luid may flow continuously from such pipe to carry off the impurities; or acock may be applied to the pipe and the discharge made intermittent. The agitation of the filteringsurfaces against the loose abrading material is claimed in my patent applications No. 232,238,

`tiledltIarch 24, 1887, and No. 235,320, filed April 19, 1887; but it isobvious that with the same construction the disks may remain stationary and the abrading material be agitated by the inilowing current of water, if admitted l below the sand by the branch pipe 7.a.

Two different constructions for thedisks are shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, Fig. 5 showing a disk composed whollyof porous composition. The entire outer surface of this disk is composed of a layer-of fine-grained material, z, forming the. filtering-diaphragm, and the inner substance of the disk being composed of coarser grain, e', to permit the passage to the center of the diaphragm of the waterV which percolates through'the outer layer. Such disk is made in one piece in asuitable mold, but maybe made in any convenient manner.

I have devised various means for producing a porous composition artificially, but have not described their constitution herein, as I havel iiled separate patent applications, No. 221,678,

filed Deeemben.1,5,1886,and No. 222,006, filed December 18., 1886, therefor.

The formation of a disk inone solid piece isadapted for a disk of moderate dimensions;

but Figs. 3 and 4illustrate a means of forming disks of many feet diameter, with an iron frame of sufficient strength to resist the water-pressure. 4

, In 'this construction the composition is 4o molded upon the iron frame, and itis obvious that in such a union of iron and composition I changes of temperature in the water might cause a loosening of the composition from the 'frame by the expansion and contraction of the latter. To prevent such aseparalion of the composition from the iron, whieh might per-l mit leakagel through'the variousrjoints, Ireticnlatethe iron fra'me andv apply the composition separately to the various vsections ofthe By this' means the difference in the expansion of the iron on the composition is .limited to much smaller areas and the liability fto separation is greatly diminished..

. InFigs. 3 and 4 the disk is shown form d of 5-5 twoiron cireularframes, E, provided wit 'ribs and e'ross-barsE, between which the composition zz" is applied, and the frames are secured together at their periphery -by bolts e2, i/nserted 'through marginal flanges e. The' hub E2- is 6o formed with holes n, coinciding with the chann nel formed, y the two layers of coarse composition .z, and the shaft b is provided with similar holes, fm, to receive the liquid disehargedlfrom the holes a.

tion vthe disk possesses vtwo filtering-diaphragms upon its parallel-surfaces, and the water passed tliro'ugh the outer fine layers, z,

' through the wastecoek ab; or a volume onlyr -pelled to percolate t Ifilter by the pipe la. o

. perforated f pipes s,

By this coustrucis collected in the interstiees of the coarser layer z', and discharged as in the solid disk in Fig. 5. XVhen the two diaphragms are not thus combined together, the substance is sustained uponany surface adapted to furnish an outlet for the fluid-as apcrforatcd plate, tube, or screen of any kind.

My invention may be Apracticed in many other constructions, of which I have illustrated one modieation in'Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, iu whiclrthe diaphragm formed of coarse and fine layers of composition is shown in tubular form. The tube b (shown in Figs. 8 and 9) is formed of metal with numerous coarse perfo rations, I. f VVirenetting (indicated by a fine zigzag line, b) is wrapped around the pipe to keep the composition from penetrating the holes, and the filtering composition b2 is then applied v over the wire-"netting, to which it strongly adheres, as inFig. 8. In Fig. Gsueli p tubes are show n suspended in a casing, a', from a branch pipe, a, connected with a dis charge-pipe, having a stop-eoek,.k.

In practice the pipe a2 would be provided with branches extending horizont-ally in the head -of the casing, so that the suspended tubes b would ll the body of thel easing as nearly as possible. Sand, coke, pumice stone, or other abrading material would be placed in the casing, c around the tubes b', and the fluid wouldbe admitted-through an inlet-pipe, q, provided with branches p,-extended within the bottom of the casing and vperforated to diiluse the liuid beneath all the filter-tubes. A vol- -ume of duid sufficient to agitate the sand could be supplied through the pipe q continuously, and the surplus would escape continuously xc 5 sufticientto pass th rough the filter-diaphragme v without agitating the sand could be introduced and a greater volume admitted at intervals to actuat'e the abradingv material and simultaneons] y carry oil' the impurities.' The sand would thus be agitated to cleanse the iltertubesin the desired manner, and the surplus fiuidvbe discharged from the waste -eoek a continuously or intermittently, as preferred. .TheV tubes `b are closed at their ends, as shown at l i5 b7 in Fig'. 8, and the watcrjs therefore comp hrough the coating b? andV to reach the holes bthrongh theinterstices of the wire-netting b, in order to escapefrom the v, .r 2o When a force-pump is available toproduce ya strongcurrent of water, the alternative construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11 Ymay be used, in. which the water is admittedto'- 'the wholebottom of the easing aat once through and the excess of lnid, 'which'canuot'be passedfthrough the tubes b", would be returned to the suction of the pump to again operate in washing the'tubcs. In these figures, Ris the pump, 'n' the suctionpipe, and o" the delivery, forcing the water into the pipes s. The suction-pipe hasa branch, u, and cock u', connecting with 'a wa- 'A A ter-supply, anda branch, 1'with'eoek t', con-` v ICO' I'IC

neeting with the top of the casing a. The sand fills the casing to the line g2 above the tube-header a, and is agitated in contact with all the filtering-tubes b5, during the filtering operation, by the current from the supplypipes. A cock would be provided to discharge the foul water when required, as in the pipe y in Fig. 10, and the opening of suchcoek for a short time during the working of the filter would serve to discharge a portion of the contained liquid' and carry off the impurities raised to the surface by the upward current from the pipes s.

In addition to the wire screen b4, interposed.

between the filtering-'diaphragm and the iron tube in Fig. 8, a layer of coarse granular composition may be first applied to the pipe, as at-b" in Fig. 9, and the layer of finer-grained composition be applied outside the same, as 1n said figure. The water pereolating through the fine-grained material would be collected in the interstices of the layer b5, and would thus be more rapidly and freely conducted to the apertures b, leading to the interior of the tubes b.

Having thus set forth my invention, it will be seen that all the forms illustrated may be employed to effect the cleansing of the filter lng-diaphragm constantly while in use, the sand being agitated bythe means described,

- and thereby abrading the surface of the filtering-diaphragm and removing therefrom the impurities which are separated from the water by the filtering operation.

The term diaphragm has been applied herein to constructions varying in form, but having in all cases the function of a wall,

- through which the water is required to pass to effect its purification, and the function of'sueh diaphragm or wall is evidently exerted by its actual constitution independent of its f'orm or the means by which it is supportedin vthe construction. Thus in Fig. 5 the whole disk constitutes the filtering-diaphragm. In Fig. 4 the sections of composition sustained be tween the metallic ribs E also operate as the diaphragm, and the coating of composition upon the exterior of the tubes b. (shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 9) also possessesthe same funetion and serves as the diaphragm or wall herein claimed.v

I am fully aware that it is not new to remove the deposit from the surface of a filtering plate or diaphragm by a brush, either the plate' or the brush being lnoved in relation to the other during the filtering operation or at intervening periods.

I am also aware that various means have =been employed, as in my previous patents,

Nos. 273,542 and 273,543, for agitating granular material when Aused as the filtering medium, to remove the impurities deposited therein, and to abrade the surface of the particles or grains themselves by friction with heretofore used, Vand a current of water reversed through the same to agitate and purify them', and that it is not new to arrange two 7o filtering-diaphragms adjacent to one another, with their outer surfaces exposed to the impure fluid, and a discharge-outlet provided ties and a coarser grain upon its outlet-surface to collect and discharge the filtered Huid. Neither am I aware that any solid filteringdiaphragms, in any form, have ever been purified by the abrasion of granular particles agitated by a fluid'-currentin contact with the filteri afg-surface; nor that the fluid to be filtered has ever been operated to agitate an abrading agent upon the filtering-surface; nor that the space required for the collection o f the water from a solid diaphragmhas been minimized by forming alayerof coarse solid porous material upon the backs of two filter-diaphragms, and placing such coarse layersin contact to effect the discharge to a common outlet of the water collected from both.

I am aware that it is old to combincgranular material with a solid diaphragm to forma combi-ned filtering agent, as is shown inv Fig. 11 of British Patent No.. 2,126' of 1883, in which a mass of solid carbon is combined with the outlet from a filter-bed of granular material to operate upon the fluidv 4in its passa-ge from the filter-bed. In this construction the granular material forms a part ofthe filterbed, and is not combined, as in my invention,

IOS

with any means of agitating the granular ma- I terial and the filter agent in relation to one another, soas to cleanse thelatter by the abrasion of the former. i

In said British patent the unfiltered fiuid is admitted above the filterbed or mass of granular material, and is-not, inany case, introduced into it in such manner as to agitato or disintegrate the sand, or to abrade the block ot' carbon when filtering, as may he done in my construct-ion, without suspending the filtering operationf I wholly disclaim the said British patent and any apparatus unprovided with means for moving a solid filter, diaphragm and loose granular material in relation to one another to abrade the filtering-surfaces.

It is obviously immaterial how the agitation of the granular abrading material relative to the filterdiaphragms is effected, and the first 'claim in mypresent application is therefore intended to secure such improve Inent in a generic sense. A 4

In my present application I have also claimed the current of infiowing fluid for agitating the abrading material as a specific means of carrying my generic'invention into effect.

I/have not claimed herein the construction y shown in Figs. 10 and l1, as-I have filed a separate patent application, -N o. 229, 949, `on March 7, 1887, to include suoli' matter and other improvemcnts.. Neither have I claimed herein the means of moving the filter-diaphragnis against the abrading material instead of agi:

tating the loose material by a current of fluid, as I have claimed the same inl a separate patent application, No; 232,23S,'filed March 24, 18S?, "agitatingfilter-diaphragms.. The proportion of abrading material that is mingled wlththe water is. entirely immaterial in my presentinvention, as alimited number of par' ticles diffused through the fluid maybe `em ploycd in' some cases; or the entire surface of the filtertng-diapln'agms'may be covered with a mass of the abrading materiahas in my'pat eut application No. 229,505, filed March 3,

Having4 thus setl'orth my invention, what I cla-im herein is 1. In a filter in which the filtration is performed by porous daph ragn1s,the combi nation. with such porous d iaphragms, of loose partl cles of v'granular abrading materialarranged movabl y in the unfiltered fluid in contact with Y the Iilteringcsurfaces ot' '-said diaphragms and means,.substantially as described, for agitatingthe abrading material against such filter-v ing-snrf`aces with the fluid to be filtered, to relnove the impurities from such filtering-surfaces, substantially asherein set forth.

' 4S v which the filtered water is delivered, and by 2. Ina filter,.the combination, with a por-- ons diaphragm employed as a filtering agent, of loose particles of abrading material agitated in contact with the filtering-surface of such diaphragm by'a current of fluid during the filtering operation, substantially as set' which it is 'collectedand discharged to a eo1`nmon outlet.

. 4; In aflter, the combination, with-a filter- J -ing-diaphragmformed of a porous composition united to form a solid mass, and having finer interstices upon itsinlet side and coarser interstices upon yitsoutlet side, as set forth, of means, `substantiallyasset forth, for inelosing the 'diaphragm upon its outlet side, andan `outlet for conducting the filtered water therefrom, substantially as herein set forth.

5. In a filter, the combination of two diaphragnis, each'V formed of a porous composition united in toa-solid mass, having affiner 6o grain upon one side to filter the fluid and a coarser grain upon the opposite side to collect anddeliver the filtered'watem'the two dia phragms being secured' with their coarser sides adjacent and provided with means -to convey the filtered water from between 'the same, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a filter, the combination, with two reticnlated metallic frames,- of a porous composition secured separately in the openings of 7o the two l`frames,'meana for attaching the edges of the frames tight-ly together to prevent the escape of fluid thereat,-and means connected with the space between the frames for drawing the filtered water th'erefrom,substantially as -7 5 shown and described'.

7. In a filter, the combination, with two fil` tering-disks formed of composition, having a' finer grain npontheir outer surface and a coarser grainfupon their inner side, as set 8o' forthjof a hollow shaft inserted through the centers of -isaid disks, means for securing the' edges ofthe disks together with their coarser sides adjacent to prevent the. escape of fluid,

means forjsecuringthe disks tightly -upon the '85 shaft and conveying the filtered water to its interior, and a easing to inclose the disks, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In afilter, the combination, with two fil;

tering-disks formed of composition having a 9o finer grain upontheir outer'surfaee and a coarser grain'npon their inner side, asset forth, of a hollow shaft inserted through the. centers-ot' said disks, means for securing the edges of the disks together with 'their coarscr 95 sides adjacent to prevent the escape'of fluid,- mezms for securingthe disks tightly upon the shaft andconveying the' filtered water to its interior, a casingto inclose the disks, and particles of abradingf material deposited within roo the easing in contact with the filtering-.surfaces of the disks as and for the purpose set forth. v A

Intestimony whereof I .have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two vsubscribing V witnesses. Y v

' JOHN HYATT.

Witnesses:

. W. R. SANDs,

TH'os. S. CRANE, 

